Not only did Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen make the wildest catch of the 2024 season on Sunday, but he made the wildest non-catch of the 2024 season as well.
Let’s start with the latter, which happened right at the end of the first half.
Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, on a third-and-3 from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 8-yard line, squeezed a beauty of a pass into the end zone at Thielen—who couldn’t corral the ball, at least initially. The 34-year-old vet, however, was seemingly able to gain control of the throw and bring down both his knee and his elbow into the paint.
Nonetheless, and to the dismay of pretty much everyone watching, the attempt was ruled an incompletion on the field and upon review . . .
This is a Touchdown catch by Adam Thielen.
Ruled incomplete initially, but currently under review.#KeepPounding #NFL #TBvsCAR pic.twitter.com/qo6kw4g405
— Blego (@BlegoBro) December 1, 2024
Thielen was asked about the ruling after the 26-23 loss.
#Panthers Adam Thielen says it was explained to him that his right hand came off the ball in his would-be TD catch. “You can’t put it in the ref’s hands, and obviously New York’s hands either.” pic.twitter.com/w2kR4w9b5z
— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3) December 2, 2024
Now for the catch that was actually determined to be a catch . . .
ADAM THIELEN WOW
📺: #TBvsCAR on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/KNAGqBEbUk— NFL (@NFL) December 2, 2024
Unfortunately, the incredible one-handed grab would not help capture an overtime victory.
On the very next play, running back Chuba Hubbard fumbled the possession away—thanks to the dirty work of Buccaneers defensive lineman Anthony Nelson. Tampa Bay trekked down the field for 59 yards to set up a walk-off 30-yard field goal by kicker Chase McLaughlin.
Thielen finished the rough defeat with a season-high eight receptions, a season-high 99 receiving yards and his second touchdown of the campaign.
